Police Log - 01/03/19

Posted
Thursday, January 3, 2019 1:59 pm

DISORDERLYOfficer Gregory Johnson responded to assist Officer Christopher Gillis on December 21 at approximately 2:15 p.m. with a motor vehicle crash on Bald Hill Road at East Avenue. Officer Gillis reported that no one was injured, and had moved several vehicles into the parking lot of the nearby Dunkin Donuts. Once on scene, Officer Johnson reported that he learned that the crash at the intersection involved a black BMW, which was in the lot, and a silver vehicle that was disabled and partially in the travel lane. Officer Johnson spoke with two people standing outside the BMW, identified as Joshua Andrea, 21, of 1 River Street Apt. 3 in West Warwick, and his girlfriend, and both said they were okay following the crash. They stated that their light was “probably green” when they proceeded into the intersection and were struck by the other vehicle. Andrea confirmed that he had been driving, but had difficulty explaining what happened. According to the report, both Andrea and his girlfriend smelled like burned marijuana, and when asked Andrea stated he had a medical marijuana card. He was then asked to obtain his license, vehicle paperwork and his card. Officer Johnston then spoke to two witnesses in the lot, who stated that they were near the silver car at the intersection light when the signal turned green. As they proceeded through the intersection with the silver car ahead of them, the BMW crossed in front of them and struck the silver car. A third witness said that the BMW “went right through the red light and smashed into the silver Corolla in the middle of the intersection.” Officer Johnson then returned to Andrea, who handed the officer a handful of paperwork. The officer then informed Andrea that three separate witnesses stated he went through a red light, Andrea then began shouting at the officer, saying “(Expletive) you (racial slur)” and advanced towards the officer. Fearing an assault, the officer reported that he pushed Andrea back while telling him to get back to his vehicle and to stop swearing.Andrea continued to swear and yell, and eventually was placed under arrest after resisting several times, struggling, and being brought to the ground with the assistance of Officer Gillis. After being handcuffed, Andrea still did not cooperate. He resisted being frisked at the scene, and pushed back against the officers. His vehicle smelled of burned marijuana, and trace amounts were scattered around the center console. A digital scale was also found in the car. Officers believed that he was likely operating under the influence and his behavior was irrational, however he did not appear to be impaired. He was transported to police headquarters, where his aggressive behavior continued. He was later released with a summons for disorderly conduct and resisting legal/illegal arrest.

FRAUDOn December 20 at approximately 6:40 p.m. Officer Richard Odell met with a complainant at police headquarters for a report of a fraud. The reporting party stated that at approximately noon that day he received an email from a party he believed was his boss. The email requested that he buy multiple iTunes gift cards. The man stated that he purchased $1,450 worth of the cards at various locations around Warwick. The gift cards were purchased with a Citi Bank card and a MasterCard. The man stated he wished to press charges, and the case was forwarded to detectives for follow up. SHOPLIFTINGOn December 14 at approximately 2:19 p.m., Officer Britton Kelly responded to the Bald Hill Road Kohl’s for a shoplifting that had just occurred. At the store the officer met with the loss prevention supervisor who advised that he had observed a woman enter the jewelry department and select various items. She was then observed removing the items from the packaging and placing them in her pocket. She was then seen entering the athletic wear department where she concealed a pair of pants in her jacket. The woman then left the store without paying.Outside, the suspect was stopped and brought back into the store. She gave back the merchandise, valued at $121.20, and before she could be identified she stood up and left the store, saying “I have to go pick up my kids. You can’t touch me.” The supervisor followed the woman outside and obtained a license plate number before the woman drove off. A background check using the information provided identified the woman as Nikole Mancini, 34, of 56 Maple Avenue Apt. J205 in West Warwick. A warrant was then issued for her arrest. On December 26 at approximately 4:21 p.m., officers were dispatched to the West Warwick Police Department, where Mancini was being held on the outstanding warrant charge. She was taken into custody and transported to Warwick headquarters where she was charged with one count of misdemeanor shoplifting. She was later released with a District Court summons. ***At approximately 6:42 p.m. on December 26, Officer Quentin Tavares was dispatched to the Bald Hill Road Macy’s for a shoplifting report with a male suspect in custody. At the scene the officer made his way to the loss prevention office, where he met with an asset protection detective. The detective stated that at approximately 6:15 p.m. he observed a man enter the men’s Polo department through security cameras. He stated that the man, who provided the name of Joseph Taylor, proceeded to select a Guess jacket and remove the tags. He then selected a dark blue flannel shirt and concealed it in his pants. He then left the store without paying for the merchandise. Taylor was then approached outside and brought back into the store. The two items, valued at a total of $324.50, were then recovered. The store personnel stated that they wished to press charges and have a no trespass order issued to Taylor. Prior to leaving the store, the officer spoke with the suspect and asked him for his name and address. He provided the name of Joseph Taylor, 18, of 299 Admiral Street in Providence. He was transported to police headquarters. Upon asking the suspect for additional personal information, suspicions were raised as to whether the man was being truthful. Background checks on the information provided produced no information. Later that evening, the man stated he had provided the wrong name and address. His actual name was Manesseh Gibbs, 18, of 7 Wenscott Lane in North Providence. He was charged with one count of misdemeanor shoplifting and one count of obstructing an officer in execution of duty. He was later released with a District Court summons.